Mercedes Duchicela

Knowing popular culture…..

2011-08-25T07:15:00.001-07:00

Great creativity and adequate leadership style are Steve Jobs' key attributes that should be modeled in nonprofit marketing. Steve Jobs relied on his "tastes" and inner sense of what a consumer would love to have on their hands. Did he muddle with mixed research designs? Could you see him struggling with qualitative or quantitative analysis to segment market audience? He listened and deciphered the signs and symbols of what the consumer culture. I could never see him in a PhD program, especially the one I attended a while back. Until academic and scholar gurus understand how to measure consumer culture, people like Steve Jobs will be trying to do their own thing somewhere else.

Jesus – Revolucionario y Rebelde

2011-04-23T20:06:00.001-07:00

I love Jesus, the prophet, according to himself, the Son of God. I admire him as a man who believed in himself, he was humble and was humiliated and beaten for what he believed in. He could be a like a leader Mohammed, Gandhi, Martin Luther King; he was a thinker, realizing that he had to create a movement for many to be "saved". Jesus was a revolutionary because he was ahead in many things, doing miracles to awaken people to their own power, Jesus was a rebel, he knew he was going to get killed, and made us feel happiness with their situation. His life and death should inspire us to seek a spiritual life with compassion, humility, motivation and joy.

Ciclos de Vida

2010-10-14T21:11:00.001-07:00

Paolo Coehlo me inspira para escribir , al mismo tiempo él se inspira de otros escritos. Ahora me he inspirado del blog de Paolo (como si fuera mi amigo).

Nadie se juega la vida con las cartas marcadas, así a veces ganamos y a veces perdemos. No esperes nada a cambio, no esperes que tu esfuerzo sea apreciado, tu genialidad sea descubierta, tu amor sea entendido….Recuerda que hubo un tiempo en que se podía vivir sin esa cosa o esa persona - nada es irreemplazable, un hábito no es una necesidad. Esto puede parecer tan obvio, pero es tan difícil comprenderlo, pero es muy importante tenerlo siempre en mente.

Ciclos de cierre. No por orgullo, incapacidad o arrogancia, sino simplemente porque ya no se ajusta a tu vida.

Cierra la puerta, cambiar el registro, limpiar la casa, sacudir el polvo.

Deja de ser quien eras, y el cambio en quien eres.

Adaptado de http://paulocoelhoblog.com/

Si en crisis nos aferramos a las memorias, tenemos que dejarlas ir algun lado. Si no hemos botado papeles,adornos,etc que nos traen memorias, es mejor definir cuales son las cosas que brindan felicidad, amor y salud en este momento y en el futuro.

Nobody plays this life with marked cards, so sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. Do not expect anything in return, do not expect your efforts to be appreciated, your genius to be discovered, your love to be understood.

Remember that there was a time when you could live without that thing or that person – nothing is irreplaceable, a habit is not a need. This may sound so obvious, it may even be difficult, but it is very important.

Closing cycles. Not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because that no longer fits your life.

Shut the door, change the record, clean the house, shake off the dust.

Stop being who you were, and change into who you are.

Hay Momentos

2010-07-16T23:58:00.001-07:00

Me encantaría revivir esos momentos de ver a niños y niñas felices. Solo me acuerdo de sus caras en su ambiente sencillo y tan natural, jugando entre ellos, cuidando a hermanos y mirando con curiosidad. Desearía saber que están pensando en ese momento y me encantaría saber donde están. Me parece tan lejano pero al mismo tiempo muy cercano en mi corazón.

2010-03-20T08:26:00.001-07:00

May the road rise to meet you,

The wind be ever at your back,

The sun shine warm upon your face,

The rain fall soft upon your fields and 'til we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Que la carretera se eleve para encontrarse con usted,

el viento siempre estará n su espalda,

el brillo de sol caliente su faz,

Que la lluvia caiga suave sobre los campos y hasta que nos volvamos a ver,

Que Dios te mantenga en la Palma de su mano

Intuición

2009-11-03T21:45:00.001-08:00

Eres amiga que viene y va, con señas y signos. Había creído en la intuición pero algún momento se fue de mí, y ya no te sentí más. Creo que tiene que ver con la fe, la fe en uno mismo, el quererse tal como es, y como quiere ser. Si tienes problemas, son tus problemas, de nadie más. No puedes culpar a nadie más, y la idea no es echarte la culpa a ti o a los demás. Es ver dentro de ti que es lo que funciona o lo que no funciona. Quisiera rehacer el pasado, que las páginas del calendario se borren, que los días se vuelvan cenizas. La intuición me guía que hay mejores decisiones por hacer y mirar con el alma en blanco.

Sentimientos

2009-10-22T14:08:00.001-07:00

Que lindo tener el sol en tu cabeza, la luna en el corazón y la lluvia sobre tus pies. Bello sentir el amor de los que mas te quieren.Inmensamente feliz querer tanto, con mucha ilusión de poder brindar con una flor en las manos. Hablo de la vida misma, de cada dia que pasa,ver la sonrisa de las nubes y las lagrimas en las hojas. Viene el invierno. Como una canción te anima la vida y toma otra perspectiva del futuro.

Nostalgia

2009-09-24T07:57:00.001-07:00

Hace unos dias encontre unas fotos de mi trabajo en una organizacion no gubernamental. Vivi tes años en sur oriente.Una experiencia fascinante.Al ver las fotos descubri una sensacion intensa, la que uno siente solo en ese momento. Al mismo tempo, mi amiga Berni envia un mensaje espiritual tan bueno,y precisamente describe lo que yo sentia al momento de ver esas fotos.

Este es el mensaje de Paulo Coelho que envio Berni:

Amor (Alma Gemela)

Siempre existe en el mundo una persona que espera a otra, ya sea en el medio del desierto o en medio de una gran ciudad. Y cuando estas personas se cruzan y sus ojos se encuentran, todo el pasado y todo el futuro pierden completamente su importancia y sólo existe aquel momento y aquella increíble seguridad de que todas las cosas debajo del sol fueron escritas por la misma mano.

La mano que despierta el amor y querer hizo un alma gemela para cada persona que trabaja, descansa y busca tesoros debajo del Sol. Porque sin esto, no tendrían ningún sentido los sueños para la raza humana.

-Paulo Coelho

En Una Noche Oscura y Lluviosa

2009-07-22T21:47:00.000-07:00

Me encantaria escribir de historias o poemas, pero no se que escribiria. Podria escribir las historias de mi Mama o las aventuras de mi hijo Kentaro. No se cual seria mas divertido o entretenido. Aveces quisiera escribir de lo que pienso, como me provoca abrir el gabinete de limpieza y decirles....COMIENCEN A LIMPIAR!! EN FILA!

Mi hijo le encanta los animales y los paseos. Fuimos a visitar a tres zoologicos este año 2009. Aqui van una foto.

De Jorge en Mi Cumpleaños

2008-10-12T15:23:00.001-07:00

My father had a very nice outlook on life. He always wanted to make the best of our "opportunities".When our family had to leave Ecuador in 1965 we were in the middle of our school year, so instead ofmaking us join the year behind us we went ahead on to the next year. That is why Lucho, Pancho, and I werebarely seventeen when we graduated from high school.Somehow Delia's birthday got confused with August 7th, it may have been so that she could start school earlier and notlater. This last week something was on my mind that a momentous date was about to come up. I thought it was October 9th, Guayaquil's independence,or someone's birthday. On my way to Katy this Friday it finally clicked that it was Delia's b-day the feeling I had been having all week andcould not figure out what it was. Our baby sister turned forty something. So I want to use this birthday letter to say something about our youngest sibbling. Congratulations!!! She is married, a mother, a very good one at that, and an almost doctor. It has been a long haul but she is doing it.In spite of all this she looks younger, fit, and ready to go at all times. In spite of all this growing up she has not developed any wrinkles,and either she uses great hair coloring or has inherited the no gray hair Duchicela gene. She continues to be jovial and endearing, and shestill beats me to a pulp whenever she delusions into Mano 'e Piedra Duran (Panamanian world boxing champion) who flirted with a once youngerexpatriate calling her "chinita". I am very proud of what she has done all these years, very grateful for all the work in Ecuador and keeping our family together.She holds the memories of our parents as they were enjoying their last years together in Panama. So to you my baby sister, on that special day that just passed us by, Tuesday, October 7th, all my love and hugs. And with all my heart Ipray to the spirits of my father and ancestors, and to the infinite Pachacamac, to give you health, love, and much happiness. Que viva la santa!! Y que gane Ecuador hoy. Jorge

En Apuros Andas!

2008-10-12T13:14:00.000-07:00

Esa era la frase que mi Papi usaba cuando me veia hacer mis tareas en las tardes! O digamos antes de cenar...cuando en Changuinola ya los pericos se iban a dormir despues de su bulla antes que se ponga el sol. A esa hora tambien llegabamos de jugar volley o de ir a la piscina, o simplemente de ir a Club!

Cuando me decia " En apuros andas!" no se por que me daba rabia, y le decia "No estoy en Apuros, solo repaso para mañana." Decia que iba ser periodista porque sabia que pasaba en Changuinola y conocia a todos, o iba ser Ingeniera electronica, porque trataba de arreglar cualquier aparato o mas bien trataba de abrirlo para ver que habia alli. Mi papa nos defendia de mis hermanos, aunque no todos nos pegaban, solo a unito que otro que le provocaba, claro por pedido de una de nosotras, y usualmente por mi parte era mas. Lucho nos cantaba con la guitarra y nos contaba cuentos (que se inventaba), Jorge siempre nos corregia y nos decia cosas nuevas e informativas, Pancho, nos montaba en la bici, nos enseñaba a tirarnos de cabeza en la piscina, y Carlos el nos tenia que acompañar a todo lado, de mas chicos queriamos que jugara barbies con nosotras y acordamos que el podria traer sus soldados de plasticos...eso para que le cuento, no termino bien y mi Papi le hizo prometer que a las mujeres no se les pega ni con el petalo de una rosa. Olgui siempre ha sido mi compinche en todo y siempre haciamos cosas juntas, pero ella siempre se portaba mejor que yo...

Todos hermanos y mi hermana son mis idolos , ellos y ella son el reflejo de mi Papi y Mami, desde muy chica simpre me sentia muy orgullosa de ellos y tambien que tenia el honor y la dicha de ser la menor, no se que hubiese sido de mi sin que yo fuera la menor!

Por ultimo, mi Papi nos enseño a manejar a los 11 o 12 años, nos llevaba a la pista de fumigacion de las 30(?), ahora me pregunto, Por Que? Y creo que la respuesta es que siempre creia en nosotros y que siempre debemos darle frente a los desafios!

Alegria y Paz De mi amiga Elisa Caney

2008-09-19T23:54:00.001-07:00

Si quieres leerlo, tienes que hacer un "click" en la foto. Si con el mouse.

1977 Abuelito Luis con Sandia

2008-09-19T23:47:00.000-07:00

Hey all...
Here's a pic of abuelito that I really love...although i don't remember him that much if at all, i like this picture because it gives me a sense of maybe who he was. plus I really love the composition with the train in the background obviously in transit, the car also in transit, the tree in the background and the people in the middle. Very nice, great job, whoever took the pic.

I just retouched in photoshop. I included the original if you like that instead.
much love,
taishi

Hoy

2008-09-19T23:44:00.000-07:00

Un saludo a todos y todas

Hoy nacio un gran hombre. El se caso con una gran mujer. Al mismo tiempo rodeado de una gran familia.

Si alguien tiene fotos de mi Papi, plees enviar que me gustaria hacer un video....Gracias!! Quiero darle esa sorpresa a mi Mami esta navidad.

Papi/Abuelito nacio el 19 de Septiembre de 1925, tiene 83 años de estar con nosotros.

Para mis hermanos, deberiamos pensar en un homenaje el proximo ano que cumple 25 años de no estar en tierra...

Un Beso a Todos

Hace 7 anos, un dia como este, fue9/11

2008-09-11T06:52:00.000-07:00

Para mi este dia es muchos sentimientos encontrados.

Yo vivi el 9/11 justo en NY, en Manhattan.

Les cuento.

Con mi companera de trabajo,Marty,habiamos viajado a NY para un evento de movlizacion de recursos en Central Park. Trabajabamos para CARE, el evento iba ser el sabado 13 de Septiembre. Yo habia ido para poder tramitar mi visa a Indonesia para una conferencia en recursos naturales, que iba ser el 14 de sept.

El 11 de septiembre habiamos planeado ir a las torres bien temprano, MArty le habia prometido a su hijo fotos y un libro de las torres. MArty se levanto temprano, y yo me quede dormida,of course. Bueno ya era tarde para ir a las torres, decidimos que mejor ibamos a recojer mi visa del consulado, que era importante....

y de alli ibamos a ir a la oficina de CARE y despues a pasear a las torres. Como Manhattan es alargado nosotras nos quedamos en un apt de un amigo a la altura de la calle 20 or so. Cuando subimos al bus, ya habia pasado lo del primer avion, pero nadie sabia que era atentado. Ya habian cerrado el subway.

Estabamos en el bus para ir hasta la calle 80....habia mucha gente..era inusual. Vimos en las TVs de los almacenes y el segundo avion ataco...8:15am.
Ya sabiamos que era bien serio lo que pasaba. Llegamos a la embajada de indonesia, recogimos mi pasaporte. Cuando salimos como a las 9am. Ibamos a la oficina
de CARE, que era como en calle 34. Ya habia conmocion, volaban aviones militares, no habia buses, las tiendas cerraban,no habia telefonos funcionando.
no habia trafico. A medida que caminabamos (casi 40 bloques) hacia abajo, nos enteramos de lo que paso. Tambien gente caminaba hacia arriba empolvada,
aterrorizada, evacuando tambien.

Llegamos a la oficina de CARE a las 3:30pm, muy cansadas. A penas llegamos, todos gritaron, llegaron, estan bien, estan vivas! Hablamos conla oficina de CARE - Quito, y tambien de CARE Macas....si en Macas tambien llego la notica, aunque despues les pregunte que estaban haciendo viendo TV...por otro lado todos decian bueno Meche esta con Marty que es la Coordinadora de Emergencias..yeah..right! Con Marty, desde alli nuestra amistad de afirmo mas, creo que haber pasado acompanada de mi gran companera de trabajo y mi amiga del alma fue increible! Tambien llame a mi mama y a Olga que ya habian llamado a la oficina. Mi Mami siempre al tanto y con el corazon en la mano cuando yo salgo algun lado. En 1985, estuve en el terremoto de Mexico.

Es alli cuando me di cuenta que si estabamos vivas. Para finalizar, no pude ir a la conferencia, el evento se cancelo y no pudio ssalir de NY por una semana. Esa semana
fue terrible sentir la tristeza de la gente americana, que se sientieron tan vulnerables. Por otro lado me senti tan feliz de tener amigos y familia que quiero tanto. Y eso de decir, "live each day to fullest," yo lo digo todos los dias.

Shylah's Presentation At Swift Last March 2008

2008-09-10T22:56:00.000-07:00

You are cordially invited and urged to attend a brief health presentation this Friday…come…be inspired!
· · Shylah Duchicela Morales – 16 year-old Presenter, native of Ecuador
· · 3:00 – 3:30pm
· · CFMC Hospital Conference Room – Weimar

Shylah is a survivor of pediatric cancer:
· · attended school in Houston while receiving treatment.
· · Selected to participate in the Global Young Leaders Conference this summer in New York & Washington, D.C. based on academic merit!

Shylah will be sharing how the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) fits with her personal objectives (see below) and how the conference will add to an ongoing process of effecting social change. The GYLC gives high-achieving students aged 16-18 a greater understanding of their roles as global ambassadors while analyzing concepts surrounding communications, diplomacy, law, human rights, peace, security, economics and the role of the United Nations. Students return home from GYLC with a greater understanding of their roles and responsibilities as citizens and future leaders in an international community. Each session of the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) is designed to educate, inspire, and motivate students by giving them the opportunity to explore cultural differences firsthand, challenge diplomatic skills daily, build confidence and enhance decision-making skills in an exciting atmosphere that is challenging and fun. Shylah views this summer as an opportunity to make a difference in Ecuador.

Her Presentation:

“As adolescents, we make up half the population of the world. Our ideas, the way we handle crisis and our knowledge has the potential to help advance the world. Imagine the impact in the future if today adolescents from the around the world are given the opportunity to interact, to become culturally aware, and to discuss issues that are affecting all of us. We will be more capable of being a future leader in our complex and ever changing world, to be tolerant of different cultures, religions and finally be a good role model for later generations. The GYLC opportunity is the opportunity to make this happen, and to plant the seeds of a better world, to learn the diplomatic, social and economic lessons of the past, debate the policies of the present and prepare for a position of global leadership in the future. It is an honor to be invited to the conference because the invitations are extended to academic high achievers.

This conference is especially important to me, because I am part of Ecuador’s community, a Latin American developing country. The government is hugely in debt, consequently not affording to provide good education or health benefits. Adolescents are essential for social change and economic development. We can serve as a force to transform it and represent society's greatest hope for a better tomorrow. We see that with great power comes great responsibility. Tomorrow, the younger generation will have to cope with the legacy of today. As we come home, we have a much better understanding of our world and the ongoing issues and problems that seemed so far away, suddenly concern us.

In addition, the role of the United Nations will be discussed. I would love to learn more about what the UN specializes in and what are its current projects. I think their information can help all the people present, whether it be in their community or school. For example, Ecuador is addressing issues related to the Colombian border. As I attend this conference, it will give me insight in what we, as civilians, can do to help our country regulate peace.

Although, I’m only 16, I have realized that the choices we make today, what we learn through personal challenges, how to overcome them, our daily life, and observations, greatly influence who we are and what we hope to be. One of the biggest problems adolescents face is to feel lost, to have doubts and wonder about our role in life. Can we affect the world? Are our ideas valuable how do we get there? This conference is the perfect opportunity to learn more about current events and how to behave, act and think like a future leader. The lessons learned will influence into our mission as future voters, adults, and leaders. We will become more knowledgeable, prepared and apply our leadership skills to our country, our school and our society. We are all connected and to that point must do everything in our power to help others and improve our world which includes economically socially or culturally.”

Her Presentation:
“What are health resources?”
· · Do we all have access to all health resources?
· · Pediatric cancer in the United States: the health resources
· · Why me?
· · Health resources for pediatric cancer patients and their families in Ecuador
· · Albergue: a description and comparison to Ronald McDonald House
· · What does it mean to build critical leadership skills in a global context
· · How does it further my goal to find a way to help specifically the pediatric cancer patients in Ecuador

Update Shylah

2008-09-10T22:47:00.000-07:00

Muy queridos Mami, Delia, Olga, Pancho, Jorge y Lucho, Shylah salió negativa de evidencia de células cancerosas, y los doctores dieron por terminado el tratamiento. Estamos tan felices por la Misericordia de Dios y la Intervención de Jesus derramada en Shylah, estamos agradecidos por la bondad de los pensamientos de todos que mantuvieron a Shylah y a todos los enfermos en sus oraciones. Ruego compartir esta linda noticias con Takashi, Juan Carlos, Kim, Juanita y Mima y todos nuestros sobrinos y sobrinas

Por ahora unas felices Navidades!! Llenas de Alegría y Fe, y Esperanza. Dios los Bendiga!

-------------------------------0000----------------------------------------
Nota este mensaje fue en Diciembre, Shylah y Glenda regresaron a Ecuador en Junio. Shylah se reintegro al Colegio. en Agosto estuvo en Youth Leadership Program. Tambien salio bien de sus examenes fisicos. Besos y Abrazos a Shylita, Carlitos Luis, Glenda y Carlos que siguen fuerte como el arbol de capuli!!

Sobre la Constitucion - Alberto Acosta

2008-09-10T22:40:00.001-07:00

Aqui habla el Economista Acosta para entender a fondo la situacion de la Constitucion que se va a votar en Septiembre. Mucha gente en Ecuador lo quisiera ver a el como el Presidente. El fue el mentor de Correa.

http://www.elcomercio.com/noticiaEC.asp?id_noticia=210793&id_seccion=229&id_seccion_padre=200

Agradecimiento

2008-09-10T22:38:00.001-07:00

Hola!

Me pasaron este escrito abajo y tambien queria compartirselos....me gusto mucho....con pocas palabras nos hace recordar porque estamos vivos en el Mundo.

Muchas veces, y solitos, nos hacemos un nudo por dentro con pensamientos negativos......con lo que pensamos son injusticias en la vida.......pero en lugar..... podemos agradecer cada dia por nuestras vidas.....y nuestros detalles.....y la de nuestros queridos.

Abrazos a todos!

Rocca

EL AGRADECIMIENTO

El agradecimiento que sólo consiste en el deseo, es cosa muerta, como es muerta la fe sin obras.Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547-1616) Escritor español.

¿Cuáles son los deseos de tu corazón?
¿Qué es lo que tanto has anhelado y aún no ha llegado?
¿La frustración, la desilusión y el desencanto ya han tocado tu corazón?
¿Qué es lo primero que viene a tu mente cuando estas cosas nos suceden?

Sin duda que lo primero es un deseo interno de quejarnos. Ver la vida como injusta con nosotros y , a la gente como nuestros verdugos y a Dios como insensible, lejano y desinteresado.
La vida no nos debe nada y si Dios nos pasara la cuenta de todas sus misericordias tendríamos que retroceder y caer de rodilla, pedir perdón y decirle que hemos sido injustos con él y con la vida.

Estuve en el funeral de la esposa de uno de mis profesores en el Seminario. La esposa del Dr. Juan Kesler, Margarita una sierva amorosa partió con el Señor a los 75 años de edad. Su muerte fue asunto de semanas, cuando parecía que estaba bien de salud. En el Funeral una de sus hijas habló a los asistentes y dijo estas palabras: “ Estuve en un conflicto conmigo misma al saber la muerte de mamá. Podía cuestionar a Dios y preguntarle porque se la había llevado así tan de pronto, pero luego de meditar profundamente decidí en vez de lamentarme, darle gracias por los 75 años de edad que nos permitió tenerla”.

Agradecido…..Otra vez agradecido. Tenemos muchas razones para agradecer. Todo lo bueno que tenemos necesita ser mirado como un regalo de Dios. Si no lo miro como un regalo entonces lo veo como un derecho y cuando lo veo como un derecho termino exigiendo mis derechos, protestando por mis derechos y angustiándome por mi derechos. Cuando todo lo veo como un regalo, termino dando gracias a Dios por sus regalos.

Moveon.org

2008-09-10T22:35:00.000-07:00

Dear MoveOn member, Yesterday was John McCain's 72nd birthday. If elected, he'd be the oldest president ever inaugurated. And after months of slamming Barack Obama for "inexperience," here's who John McCain has chosen to be one heartbeat away from the presidency: a right-wing religious conservative with no foreign policy experience, who until recently was mayor of a town of 9,000 people.Huh?Who is Sarah Palin? Here's some basic background:
She was elected Alaska's governor a little over a year and a half ago. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience.1
Palin is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.2
She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000. 3
Palin thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.4
She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.5
She's solidly in line with John McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy. She's pushed hard for more oil drilling and says renewables won't be ready for years. She also sued the Bush administration for listing polar bears as an endangered species—she was worried it would interfere with more oil drilling in Alaska.6
How closely did John McCain vet this choice? He met Sarah Palin once at a meeting. They spoke a second time, last Sunday, when he called her about being vice-president. Then he offered her the position.7 This is information the American people need to see. Please take a moment to forward this email to your friends and family.We also asked Alaska MoveOn members what the rest of us should know about their governor. The response was striking. Here's a sample:
She is really just a mayor from a small town outside Anchorage who has been a governor for only 1.5 years, and has ZERO national and international experience. I shudder to think that she could be the person taking that 3AM call on the White House hotline, and the one who could potentially be charged with leading the US in the volatile international scene that exists today. —Rose M., Fairbanks, AK
She is VERY, VERY conservative, and far from perfect. She's a hunter and fisherwoman, but votes against the environment again and again. She ran on ethics reform, but is currently under investigation for several charges involving hiring and firing of state officials. She has NO experience beyond Alaska. —Christine B., Denali Park, AK
As an Alaskan and a feminist, I am beyond words at this announcement. Palin is not a feminist, and she is not the reformer she claims to be. —Karen L., Anchorage, AK
Alaskans, collectively, are just as stunned as the rest of the nation. She is doing well running our State, but is totally inexperienced on the national level, and very much unequipped to run the nation, if it came to that. She is as far right as one can get, which has already been communicated on the news. In our office of thirty employees (dems, republicans, and nonpartisans), not one person feels she is ready for the V.P. position.—Sherry C., Anchorage, AK
She's vehemently anti-choice and doesn't care about protecting our natural resources, even though she has worked as a fisherman. McCain chose her to pick up the Hillary voters, but Palin is no Hillary. —Marina L., Juneau, AK
I think she's far too inexperienced to be in this position. I'm all for a woman in the White House, but not one who hasn't done anything to deserve it. There are far many other women who have worked their way up and have much more experience that would have been better choices. This is a patronizing decision on John McCain's part- and insulting to females everywhere that he would assume he'll get our vote by putting "A Woman" in that position.—Jennifer M., Anchorage, AKSo Governor Palin is a staunch anti-choice religious conservative. She's a global warming denier who shares John McCain's commitment to Big Oil. And she's dramatically inexperienced.In picking Sarah Palin, John McCain has made the religious right very happy. And he's made a very dangerous decision for our country.In the next few days, many Americans will be wondering what McCain's vice-presidential choice means. Please pass this information along to your friends and family.Thanks for all you do. –Ilyse, Noah, Justin, Karin and the rest of the teamSources: 1. "Sarah Palin," Wikipedia, Accessed August 29, 2008 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin2. "McCain Selects Anti-Choice Sarah Palin as Running Mate," NARAL Pro-Choice America, August 29, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17515&id=13661-9217028-axlvRPx&t=13. "Sarah Palin, Buchananite," The Nation, August 29, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17736&id=13661-9217028-axlvRPx&t=2 4. "'Creation science' enters the race," Anchorage Daily News, October 27, 2006 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17737&id=13661-9217028-axlvRPx&t=35. "Palin buys climate denial PR spin—ignores science," Huffington Post, August 29, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17517&id=13661-9217028-axlvRPx&t=46. "McCain VP Pick Completes Shift to Bush Energy Policy," Sierra Club, August 29, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17518&id=13661-9217028-axlvRPx&t=5"Choice of Palin Promises Failed Energy Policies of the Past," League of Conservation Voters, August 29, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17519&id=13661-9217028-axlvRPx&t=6"Protecting polar bears gets in way of drilling for oil, says governor," The Times of London, May 23, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=17520&id=13661-9217028-axlvRPx&t=77 "McCain met Palin once before yesterday," MSNBC, August 29, 2008 http://www.moveon.org/r?r=21119&id=13661-9217028-axlvRPx&t=8Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 3.2 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

De Annie Graul Companera de la U, Residente en Espana....

2008-09-10T22:30:00.000-07:00

Hi Delia, Yikes -- I can totally imagine what a group of Texas moms thinks about this whole situation. I was watching the GOP convention on TV, all those enraptured conservatives waving their banners -- scary! I personally --perhaps in part because I am watching this whole thing unfold from an ex-pat point of view-- am more concerned about the future of the planet than any other issue in this election. I find it appalling that Sarah Paylin, who hails from the most pristine state in the country, is in denial about global warming and the role of humans. It seems that she answers only to the humans (who work for the petroleum companies) in her voting district, the hell with the polars who live there too!Here's a good article from the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/opinion/03friedman.html?emAll the other stuff is important (her and McCain's stand on issues like gun control, abortion, the economy, etc.) but looking at the U.S. from the outside gives you a different perspective, one that zooms in on the bigger issues that could affect the entire planet. And right now, I sincerely believe that the environment is THE pivotal issue. We are talking about the planet that Inés, Oscar and Kentaro are going to inhabit -- our legacy to them. And I am very very very concerned about it. So, other than obsessing about the environment and the elections, I am busy trying to juggle work and kids. School here doesn't start until September 15th and I am finding it difficult to keep the kids busy and away from the tele and the NintendoDS and doing more productive things.... arrrgh. Summer vacation is TOOOOOO long. Do you think our mothers thought the same thing when we were kids?????Must run Duchie, my work day has started. Un abrazo muy muy muy fuerte!!!!! Annie Bananie

De Rocca......

2008-09-10T22:26:00.000-07:00

Queria compartirles unas musiquitas y a Trespatines, en sus fechorias!!!

Musica - Julio Jaramillo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABF34d_WYSQ&feature=related

Musica - Amaru (Senderito de Amor)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgH8ztGaCCc

Trespatines
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiBwlWJWRRk&feature=related

Diviertanse!!!

Georgetown.edu

2008-06-13T20:42:00.000-07:00

NO sabia que Georgetown Univesity era jesuita. Tiene edificios muy viejos!! Tambien tiene su parte moderna con edificios de ladrillo rojo. El vecindario son casas muy viejas y de mucho caracter.

2008-06-13T20:27:00.001-07:00

La edad y la soledad

2008-06-13T19:42:00.000-07:00

Estoy en Washington, DC. En un curso de Social Marketing dado por los gurus de los gurus. Si con libros que comprar y un proyectito que hacer al final de la semana. El curso ha sido revelador no solo por el contenido y las expereriencias de los otros participantes. Tambien me impacto ver gente sola en la calle, los "homeless" con caretillas de sus cosas. Hablando solos. En su mundo con sus fundas de ropa y otras cositas. Me hizo pensar en la edad y la soledad. A medida que pasa los dias, dias menos que vivimos o mas dias que disfrutamos la vida. De repente todo puede parar. Pero tambien los dias siguen y siguen como esta gente. Tambien vivimos una soledad, pensamos, evaluamos, criticamos, planificamos...todo en nuestra cabeza, mirando a los "homeless".

Hay una senora que venia todos los dias a la cafeteria de la Universdiad de Georgetown. Su cabellera blanca y su cara blanca arrugada pero tan arrugada como piel de iguana. Tenia su ritual, ponia sus pertenencias en la mesa. Entre algunos paquetes que incluia un periodico. Sacaba un sobrecito y contaba las monedas para comprar su comida. De una sabiamos que no le iba alcanzar para un desayuno o almuerzo, pero ella iba a comprar lo que podia. Cuando regresaba venia con una bandeja de comida. Asi la veia los dias que iba al desayuno y almuerzo. Si me preguntaba, como esta senora lograba inisitir que necesitaba comer y el dueno ordenaba que le dieran comida. Pero lo que mas me impresionaba su edad y su soledad, como la vivia con dignidad y humildad. La edad no es nada para esta senora, sino las arrugas y la cabellera blanca, despues se sentaba a escribir y leer el periodico.

Queria llevarme una imagen de ella, pero como? Bueno como se sento al frente mio, puse el timer en mi camara y apague el flash. Bueno se dba cuenta, hasta en una se me olvido apagar el flash. Se puso brava porque creia que yo tenia que apagar la camara proque estaba prendida. Estuve cerca....de que se de cuenta.........conozcanla

Mi Pasión

2008-05-09T09:05:00.001-07:00

Hace dos años Diosito me dío el mejor regalo del mundo. Me dío pasión por vivir. Esa pasión se llama Kentaro. Ser la mamá de Kentaro Achij es lo mejor que me ha pasado. Siento ganas por vivir para que él sea la mejor persona. Kentaro es la chispa de mi vida.

Guitarreando y Con Sarten en la mano

2008-04-24T20:57:00.000-07:00

Aqui esta Kentaro.."guitarreando"!

Alguien tiene que tener la sarten por el mango. Ja Ja

En la vida hay momentos muy difiles y uno los sabe sobrellevar. Gracias a las amigas/amigos y la familia.

Tambien uno se olvida de lo mas importante que uno tiene, la vida y la ganas de seguir viviendo.

Un Rezo de Glynnis

2008-04-24T20:50:00.000-07:00

You all are in my prayers.
Heavenly Father,
You have told us not to be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayers and petition, with thanksgiving, present our request to You. I pray that You give Mercedes a spirit of power and of love and of a sound (calm and well-balanced) mind. I pray that You give her courage and confidence. I pray that You give Mercedes the knowledge, understanding and wisdom that she needs> to successful complete her coursework, written and oral comp exams,dissertation proposal defense, and dissertation defense. I pray that You give Mercedes favor (preferential treatment) with UT's faculty and staff, especially her course and dissertation committee members. I believe that You are directing Mercedes' steps and have not brought her this far to leave her. Ithank you for listening to and answering our prayers.
In Jesus'name I pray, amen.

I wish you much success.

Glynnis

Un Salmo para Meche

2008-04-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

Alzaré mis ojos a los montes, de donde vendrá el socorro para Mechita,

el socorro viene de Jehová que hizo los cielos y la tierra.Jehová es el guardador de Mechita, El cuidara su alma, Jehova guardara su salida y su entrada desde ahora y para siempre Aleluya.

Gracias Marty

Desde canguros hasta el caballo mas alto

2008-04-12T23:08:00.000-07:00

Fuimos al Open House de la Facultad de Veterinaria. Vimos desde canguros hasta el caballo mas alto...ojo no el mas grande...es bien alto. Tambien vimos una lagartija y un raton, pero no tengo fotos de ellos. Kentaro toco la lagartija...

Las Bluebonnets

2008-04-12T22:54:00.000-07:00

Cada año salen estas florecillas a lado de las carreteras. Son preciosas. Hace una semana le tome fotos a Kentaro con ellas este año. Fue divertido tambien estuvo "el perrito", de metido.

En Semana Santa

2008-03-21T22:08:00.000-07:00

De chicos, Semana Santa era tan aburrido, esto no correr o jugar afuera en Changuinola (Panama). Tambien lo de ayunar y solo comer marisco. Si comes carne estas comiendo la carne Jesus, en ese tiempo no entendia mucho de eso pero hay ahora me "cala" un poco.

Siempre comiamos fanesca, creo que el bacalao se lo traia de Sak Jose o de Panama City, y mi mami le ponia sazon local......guandu? Bueno para esta semana santa hare una cazuela de pescado y una sopa de pescado......hmmmmm

Salio todo un exito....fue tan rapido que ni foto pude tomar de la cazuela....

Gracias a las direcciones de mi cuñada Glenda y mi Mama, adjunto receta:

1 Cebolla paiteña 1 Pimiento Verde 3 verdes 1/2 tomate mani en grano 5gr pescado dorado achiote sal y pimienta al gusto 1 pepa de ajo comino

En un sarten se coloca bien picado el tomate, el pimiento, la cebolla, el ajo machacado, comino en polvo y sal al gusto, hasta que quede dorado. MIentras tanto se rayan los verdes y se los coloca en bowl junto con el refrito, se mezcla dos tazas de agua y unas gotas de achiote, esperaremos unos 10 min hasta que se cocine el verde sin dejar de mover para que no se haga grumos ni se pegue al recipiente. Luego se coloca el pescado limpio en trozos medianos, se vierte el mani al gusto disuelto en agua y se mueve hasta que este el pescado.

http://www.cocinadelmundo.com/paises/ecuador/pes/7320.html

Mis Mejores Aliadas en la cultura del comer...

2008-03-11T08:49:00.000-07:00

Tal como mis hermanos y yo, mis sobrinas Duchicela-Ortega se criaron en muchos lugares. Estas niñas comen desde comida Hondureña (ie Sopa de Caracol), Tica (ie Gallitos), Panameña (ie Tortillas de Maiz, carimañolas..) y la Ecuatoriana (ie cebiches y caldo de bolas, hornado)...y la lista sigue......

Tostado, Yaguarlocro con aji de chocho y Hornado...hmmm

2008-03-11T08:45:00.001-07:00

La Cultura y La Comida

2008-03-11T08:28:00.000-07:00

El buen comer es un signo de cultura. La comida ecuatoriana tiene sus sabores y procesos. Cuando viviamos en Panama, mi Mama siempre cocinaba los platos ecuatorianos. Mi Papa le encantaba, siempre con una anecdota de la familia de mi Mami, "las Tias Carmencita y Teresita". Volviendo al tema de la cultura y la comida. Mis hermanos y yo, aunque crecimos fuera de Ecuador, siempre nos creimos ecuatorianos por que nuestras costumbres eran ecuatorianas, y una de esas grandes costumbres era la comida.

Laguna de Colta

2008-02-11T22:04:00.000-08:00

Al fondo se ve la Laguna de Colta, bajo unas montañas y unas nubes que cubren otras montañas mas altas. Esta foto fue tomada desde la carretera via Guayaquil. Tambien se ve un caserio, y mas cercano, se ven unas tierras, que estan erosionadas o estan siendo preparadas para ser sembradas? Este un paisaje hermoso y "silencioso". Un silencio que dice como el medioambiente en esta region va cambiando, la Laguna de Colta era majestuosa y llena de historia Puruha. Hubieron proyectos para poder rescatarla pero no se que paso. Tambien se encuentra la iglesia de Balbanera que fue la primera iglesia construida por los españoles. Si les interesa hay una gasolinera, pueden parar y tomar fotos con el Chimborazo, si esta despejado. Para mas info informacion de lugares en Chimborazo:
http://www.explored.com.ec/ecuador/continue/chim4.htm

In search of civic engagement: Marketing a Citizen

2005-10-25T20:13:00.000-07:00

Introduction

In 1996, the Eisenhower Leadership Group stated the problem of civic disengagement, it proclaimed that democracy was at risk and the schools have to lead:

“Every democracy requires a large number of citizens willing and able to make a difference”
(Eisenhower Leadership Group 1996)

This elite group composed of the Center for Political Leadership and Participation of the University of Maryland, the Leadership Education Project of the John F. School of Government at Harvard University and the Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling Psychology of Washington State University. After nine years, the generation of civic engagement in the United States is still a challenge.

The main assumption is that in a democratic education, individuals acquire various outcomes, such as, moral values, civic concepts and social skills. This leads to the belief that children will lead a socially responsible life which means these individuals have not only acquired civic awareness but have built on social capital. Thus becoming civically engaged which guides the individual to perform a collective action in society. The effect on this social integration is building relationships between community and government which produce governance.

Finally, the democratic education makes students more civically aware as they grow up, which results in good governance, Consequently, it creates a more civically engaged human being defined as citizen, who not only feels but acts like an individual within a society thinking similarly about civic issues.

Another assumption is that there are certain dimensions in marketing a citizen, this means the producing individuals with not only democratic characteristics but with collective dimensions. What is the promotion of a good citizenship? In order to market a citizen it has to have a branding and positioning strategy, a visionary leadership. Wilma Mankiller, Chief of the Cherokee Nation, stated that “I contend that no prophet is come along and save America. Visionary leadership is going to come along in little tiny places all over the nation, and everyone is responsible for providing it.” (Eisenhower Leadership Group 1996) So the questions that are directed are: where does the civic engagement start? In the family or in school, either in elementary education or high school, with parent participation or limited parent participation? Other questions are: What is the teachers and parents role? Does the community and local government have any responsibility is promoting a good citizenship?

The literature examined ranges from scholarly journals, books, project reports and internet sources from ten years ago. Although there are a couple of references that are before this period, the terms used for civic engagement are numerous, used interchangeably with other processes, such as political participation, political consciousness, civic responsibility, civic communion, community service, social mobilization, and others. Some sources derive from Great Britain and Canada, whose governments have the same concern as the United States, the lack of civic engagement in society. This paper aims to establish a general discussion on the issues concerning civic engagement and its importance in marketing a citizen.

The state of being a citizen or citizenship has many questions and topics which can be debated from many points of views. For instance, through the revision of the literature, the issues that are intrinsically to civic engagement and to marketing a citizen is: civic education and citizenship.

Issues

Civic education

The main discussion is the interrelationships between democracy, education and schools, the central proposition is that “American Democracy” is still the best way to achieve “freedom and the betterment of human beings”. (Soder 1996) Robert Putnam in Making Democracy Work states that In order to achieve democracy, citizens must be “educated in moral and political responsibilities”, in addition to previously established conditions such as: “trust, exchange and social capital”.(Putnam 1993) The issue debated is over if schools and teachers should be responsible for the teachings of the right and responsibilities of a citizen. The questions that arise are: Is this enough to be civically engaged in a community? At what age does this civic education begin, either elementary or in high school?

The rationale for the interrelationships between democracy, education and the schools come from different perspectives. The democratic education that Mary Catherine Bateson describes in her article Democracy, Ecology and Participation is basically placing schools inside a social ecological framework where children have a place in the democratic process. (Soder 1996)

The democratic education contributes so children will acquire citizenry competence and engagement to accomplish the democratic ideal of the “pursuit of justice”.(Macedo and Tamir 2002) The democratic ideals and the history of the “founding fathers” is still in American Society and everyone agrees that their government is democratic thus this association can be troublesome since nobody can really pinpoint the characteristics of living in a democratic state.(Hoffert 2001) The general meaning is this state is the authority and the power come from the people (demos), and is justified by their approval. These choices for liberty and justice must be taught in schools so it does not only become temporal or spiritual but also social and political.(Hoffert 2001)

Many scholars uphold the point of revising how democratic education have changed during the years idea, that is not say that most go into reviewing theories in democracy which should not be the case and that is not the issue. The issue is to frame democracy concepts and ideals in the context relevant on how is the “peoples” living timeframe. Alexis de Tocqueville implied that the pursuit of a democratic state is when the democratic concepts are “rightly understood”.(Hoffert 2001)

Other scholars have another point of view and feel threatened that religion will be mixed with this democratic education, contesting the freedom of religion should not be mixed in the school system, for example, the Pledge of Allegiance. In 1943, the Supreme Court ruled that the salute of the flag and allegiance might be infringing on the Fourteenth amendment in freedom of religion in the case of West Virginia State Board Of Education V. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943) 319 U.S. 624. The Jehova Witness parents were against their children saluting the flag because in “their religious beliefs include a literal version of Exodus, Chapter 20, verses 4 and 5, which says: 'Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them nor serve them.' They consider that the flag is an 'image' within this command. For this reason they refuse to salute it.” (Thomson Legal and Regulatory 1943)

On the other hand, critics of American school system criticize how there is a “manipulation of regime symbols” in order to indoctrinate students to become more competitive in a free market and be more up to par in “consumer economics, free enterprise, and the virtues of the capitalist system”. The comparison is made between a factory and the schools.(Lea 1982)

In any case, the vestiges of the anti-communist sentiments have filtered into the American school system and to market a citizen with civic awareness and a national political consciousness was left aside. (Lea 1982) These reactions were definitely seen in the 1960’s and 1970’s which were characterized by the Cold War years and the recession years of the 1980’s, where much of the curriculum development geared toward career and trade skills.(Lea 1982)

The 1990’s were marked by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989 which opened a new dimension on the nation’s provision for adequate living conditions especially for children. One of the main preambles is "Considering that the child should be fully prepared to live an individual life in society, and brought up in the spirit of the ideals proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity,"(United Nations General Assembly 1989)

Paradoxically, up to mid 2003, two countries had not ratified it; the United States was one of them. Even though the United States is one of the security council members and one the highest donors to the United Nations Fund, the United States usually takes its time in ratifying international resolutions.(UNICEF 2005) Nevertheless, the United States does not only have the international pressure to revise its civic education to make a school system more equitable, free, tolerant, and socially cohesive.

The revival of civic education should “save” the democratic spirit in the American school system. It should remind the youngsters that they have rights and responsibilities to accomplish “a government for and by the people”. (Eisenhower Leadership Group 1996) These youngsters need to also a value system to conduct their decision making and solve their problems, Ian Wright believes that children should begin to have civic education in elementary school. Wright is very practical in educating children with not only with classroom activities but also in the school and family environments. This moral reasoning in a democratic state is important; the individual must weigh the importance of “liberty and opportunity, income and wealth, and self-respect”. (Wright 1993)

On the other hand, some education scholars believe that “higher education as an agent of democracy” with an enhance curricula and service learning activities. (Boyte and Kari 2000) Moreover, in 2005 David Caputo questions how higher education can promote civic engagement, some options is a curriculum in ethics and individual responsibility, along with community service or internships. He also exposes the alternative of in class and out of classroom experiences such as working in a campaign or in an advocacy group. A third alternative which he prefers is to ask the specific outcome of the civic engagement and then customize the program. For example, Caputo asks the questions what is the outcome, a citizen with increased political and social awareness with a life of advocacy and engagement, or, a citizen with a “better understanding of his or her world”, or, citizen with in-class and external experiences with skills in public policy decision making. (Caputo 2005)

The general consensus is there is a need for civic education in the American School System, Parents and Teachers and the community must be responsible for this and must have at least a minimum of civic skills.(CIRCLE) The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement has various working papers and articles that attempt to decipher the measurement of civic engagement. For example, the civic indicators which can youth civic engagement are the following: community solving, regular volunterring for non-electoral organizations, active membership in a group or association, participation in fund raising run/walk/ride. (CIRCLE)

Similarly in civic skills include communication skills, knowledge of political systems and the ability to critically think about civic and political life. The interesting point is that CIRCLE measure since the elementary school age children at a national level.

Another interesting project carried out by CIRCLE is Kids Voting USA, measuring a three year period the interactive civic curriculum taught during elections campaign in 2002. The families were form Arizona, Colorado and Florida, the variable measurements were in exposure in voting, curriculum influence in civic involvement indicators, and demographics variables. There were surveys handed to juniors and seniors in high school, the questionnaires were self reported so the bias and validity can be critical to evaluate civic intentions and behaviors.(McDevitt and Kiousis 2004)

There is also the Campaign for the Mission of Schools, its main goal is to promote civic learning in schools, they believe its the “most effective way to prepare America's young people for informed and active participation in a healthy representative democracy”. (Civic Mission 2004)

Citizenship

The arguments exchanged in the topic of citizenship are mainly the description of the state of being a citizen fully born with rights and responsibilities, the self determination of a citizen (identity) and how much social capital is vested to have citizenship and the civic responsibility.

Astin characterizes of the “citizenship talents” with “empathy, self-understanding, honesty, responsibility and the ability to work collaboratively”.(Astin 2000) He argues that one must weigh the civic notions and emotional talents over the intelligence scores. Further he asserts that asserts that assessment should have a more “value added” approach to what the student is learning and how their development is over time. (Astin 2000)

In an interesting article by Harry Boyte and Nancy Kari attempts not only to define citizenship but also to state where it comes from, such as:

1.Member of communities with rights that choose leaders through elections in a representative political system. This is the traditional view of democracy.

2.Members of communities sharing same values and “responsible to each other and for their community”. This is comes from “communitarian philosophy and civic society teachings.

3. “Public Problem solvers and co-producers of public goods”. This description is from the “commonwealth” in American history, “the work-centered philosophy of democracy.”
(Boyte and Kari 2000)

The first two descriptions are what political scientists the “liberal view” of political theory. This are more centered to “division of powers, how a bill becomes law, how to vote, how to make one’s views known to legislatives, and the equal distribution of goods and services”.(Boyte and Kari 2000)

The third description of citizenship as the “commonwealth or public works tradition” is linked to work, and the building of the “commons”. In this sense, Boyte and Kari relate citizenship is to public work, as the “producers of public goods”, and the process of creating communities and stakeholders in the country. This type of citizenship was what Abraham Lincoln promoted as an ideal democratic government and permeated through the 1940’s. (Boyte and Kari 2000)

The building of the commons in the 1930’s and 1940’s was exemplified when citizens did community work for the sake of the all members of the community; the workers would create goods and implemented projects of public benefit as the spirit of civic identity.(Boyte and Kari 2000)

This last perspective on citizenship is what catalyzes the civic effort and collaborative problem solving, nowadays citizens solve their own individual problems, disengaged from a civic identity for their community or for public life, unwilling to initiate a collective problem solving scheme to improve a policy, changed form “producers” to “consumers” of democracy. (Boyte and Kari 2000)

The ambiguity of the meaning citizenship will continue for some years. (Davies, Gregory et al. 1999) Nevertheless the American Democracy still promotes that the individual owes civic duty to society, not because it was a law but traditionally the American citizen has been guardian of their rights and responsibilities through public life. What guides the regulations of civic engagement?

In his article “Bowling Alone: America’s Decline of Social Capital”, Robert D Putnam declares that the lack of civic engagement is a decline of social capital, which he defines by the “features of social organization such as social networks, norms, and social trust that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit”.(Putnam 1995) He aims to emphasize that the rich and complex network of social integration in a community produces civic engagement which influence the American citizen’s public life.(Putnam 1995) Putnam prefers to investigate more about the decreasing trends of civic engagement. He starts by talking about the voter turnout since 1990 has decline, which he recalls is the “simplest act of citizenship” not only in national levels but also in state and local levels. He mentions Roper Organization that sampled at national level over the last 20 years and found out that less people “attended a public meeting on town or public affairs” in 1973 the results were 22 percent and in1993 fell to 13 percent. (Putnam 1995)

The declining trend is similar in other indicators of political participation, so in the last two decades American has been more disengaged “from the affairs of their communities”. An interesting point Putnam makes is that during these same decades the “average levels of education have risen” which is a good predictor for political participation.(Putnam 1995) Organizational membership is another indicator for civic engagement, Putnam states that there is a decline in joining Church-related groups and labor unions plus an alarming fact is that the Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) has had a drastic decline in the last decade. PTA has been important in the production of social capital with the parent involvement in the educational system; similar declines are in other civic organizations and fraternal organizations.

On the other hand, the increasing number of non-traditional organizations such as the Sierra Club (environmental organizations), feminist groups, the retired groups (American Association of Retired Persons), etc. But then these last organizations does not produce social trust a requirement for social capital, members of these organizations do not connect or never attend meetings, just pay dues and receive newsletters.

Also the self –help small groups organized around a certain topic like Alcoholics Anonymous or book discussions which do not offer social connectedness to the community. (Putnam 1995) He implies that social connectedness and civic engagement are forms of social capital, and he exposes four possible explanations for its “erosion” in American society:

1.The movement of women into the labor force
2.Mobility of residence
3.Demographic transformation
4. Technological transformation of leisure
(Putnam 1995)

In a later article Putnam mentions education is an intrinsic part of civic engagement, he declares the “four years of education between 14 and 18 years have ten times more impact on trust and membership than the first four years of formal education” this includes men and women, different races and generations. (Putnam 1996) He does not explain the reason for the contradiction. He concludes that there is “a mystery” in the effect of education quality of the education in the US. His main contribution is the linkage between social connectedness, civic engagement and social capital.

Alejandro Portes, a distinguished sociologist, disagrees on Putnam’s association of social capital to civic engagement at a community level. Portes argues that social capital since its inception had an individual level meaning. In his article Social Capital: Its Origins and Application in Modern Sociology, Portes discusses definitions from Bourdieu, Loury , Coleman, Baker, Schiff and Burt. Even though there are differences, it seems that there is an agreement that social capital means “ability of actors to secure benefits by virtues of membership in social networks or other social structures”. (Portes 1998)

Furthermore, he wants to prove that the uses can differ depending on the character of social capital. He disagrees with Putnam’s association of social capital to the “level of ‘civicness’ in communities” also his treatment of social capital as “logical circularity”. Portes declares that Putnam analysis of social capital linked with communities rather than an individual level is a “simultaneously a cause and effect”. Putnam should separate the “definition of the concept, theoretically and empirically” from its alledged effects and also controlling other factors that might be affecting the social capital. (Portes 1998)

A reasonable commentary that Portes makes to Putnam argument is in its ”elitist stance” to alleging responsibility to the decline of social capital on “leisure behavior of the masses, rather than on the economic and political changes” brought upon by the “corporate and governmental” entities.(Portes 1998)

A simple definition of citizenship is “state of being vested the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen who is a native or naturalized member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection” (Stein 2003). Therefore it can be interpreted that citizenship means that one is already born with rights, privileges and duties of a person that is a member of a nation, also that person owes a sense of duty of a government.
In a American society we must be “producers of democracy not simply its consumers”, in order to be civically engaged, a citizen feels part of a community and identifies with the same civic values and as an individual shares the problem solving as a collective action.(Boyte and Kari 2000)

In Canada, Troy D. Glover researches how “citizenship is associated with active citizen participation at a community center” in Ontario, Canada. The researcher designs the study with a social constructionist framework , a complex theoretical technique which intents to gather information from social actors the recognition, production and reproduction of ‘social actions and how they come to share an intersubjective understanding of specific life circumstances’. (Glover 2004)

The assumptions are that members in a community will construct interpretation in a collective way and will also share “understandings, social practices, and language”. Another assumption is that members of the community “invent concepts, models, and schemes to make sense of their lived experiences”.(Glover 2004) The last assumption was that “social constructions, as ‘negotiated’ understandings, can take a variety of forms”, which it can be very ambiguous in a qualitative study of this kind. The site is a “at-risk” community in southwestern Ontario, Canada and was chosen because it worked under a community development format, the population was 120000 inhabitants, urban, high unemployment, mostly single parents, a large minority representation and low income level. The sample size of this qualitative study is extremely questionable; only seven individuals were interviewed by the researcher. The researcher does state that the findings can only be “transferable” to theory but not to the population. (Glover 2004) The highlight of this study is the potential psychological associations between communal, responsibility and participation “dimensions of citizenship” , as shown in the following figure:

(Glover 2004)

Glover does state that the measurement and empirical studies are needed to analyze and evaluate the associations between dimensions. In all, the participants felt the sense of community (identity), and the involvement progressed in responsibility for the community which was a motivation to be more participatory problem solving thus changing behavior as a citizen with the rest of the community. (Glover 2004)

The connection between social capital and citizenship can be explained by how an individual’s enables citizens to collaborate to have collective effect. Citizens living in a community with high levels of social capital there is a high level of social trust and value the solidarity and equity. Likewise in communities with low social capital, there are low levels of trust between members.(Berkman and Kawachi 2000) In a study, Berkman and Kennedy measured the correlation between indicators of social capital and political participation like voting, for example in the following figure demonstrate the high levels if distrust with the low percentage of voter turnout in 1992. (Berkman and Kawachi 2000)

The ways that social capital influences political participation and government performance can be demonstrated in the Civic Voluntary Model Berkman and Kawachi denotes that even if they are not doing political activism the members can acquire skills to integrate and influence in a political activity.(Berkman and Kawachi 2000)
In the late 1870’s, Emile Durkheim the French sociologist, had the foresight to relate suicide rates with social integration that is attachment and regulation in society. Suicide is mainly an individual decision. This does not take in consideration the income inequality that might affect a community, but after a tragedy or social disorder recuperate because of the communities’ integration and networks of friends and kinship. He had been studying how the effects of the environment should not be studied in an individual manner. There are collective norms and value system which influence the community integration after a sudden change in their lives.

Durkheim dedicated much of his time in suicides, the “true” ones from the accidental ones, he defined them as "the term suicide is applied to all cases of death resulting directly or indirectly from a positive or negative act of the victim himself, which he knows will produce this result" (1982, p. 110 [excerpt from Suicide]).

He ran some studies in countries, and collecting their suicide rates which demonstrated that there was a communal trend on suicide rates. His theories were based that if there had been a previous change in social conditions which caused those suicides rates to increase. He presumed that the social cohesion had two forms of integration: the attachment and regulation. (Berkman & Kawachi, 2000)

The “attachment” is when an individual is bonded with other member of his community, in the “regulation” case is when an individual is mandated by the communities’ values, norms. (Berkman & Kawachi, 2000)

Suicide is a reflection of the conditions of the community as a whole, not the sum of an individual or a set of individuals.. As Durkheim studied social causes and suicide, he concluded also social structural forces that had low levels of social integration such as unmarried men or Protestant church members there was a high level of suicides, also in societies where there was a acute level of domestic disorder for example Eastern Europe at one time.

Durkheim’s main idea in his theory is that the community had build up on a social cohesion previous the suicide, groups in the community have connected and created bonding in solidarity, norms, values, beliefs, (reciprocity) which is referred as part of the community’s social capital. (Berkman & Kawachi, 2000) He claims that through “mutual moral support, which instead of throwing the individual on his own resources, leads him to share in the collective energy and supports his own when exhausted. “ (Berkman & Kawachi, 2000)

Berkman and Kawachi agrees with Durkheim that the challenge is to know how social capital is created and how the cohesion is built up or strengthen, and that is what the study does not show. But then the objective of the study was an example of how “the power of social capital lies in its potential ability to explain an array of collective outcomes that directly influence well-being.” (Berkman & Kawachi, 2000)
The linkages between citizenship, identity and social capital can be visually shown in the following diagram:

The community is territorial, it does have to have a physical description: urban or rural, metropolitan or suburbs, local, state, national, etc. Similarly, community gives a sense of “relational” identity meaning “a characteristic of human relationships rather than existing in a bounded or defined group” or social networks.(Procter 2005)

The perspective of community with identity must have the social cohesion and integration with the social capital with its respective norms and trust within their membership.(Putnam 1995) The citizenship is the state where the members of the community or citizens recognize they have duties and responsibilities; they also have rights and privileges to participate at different levels of the democratic state. This civic engagement has internal and external actions that are drivers to produce and sell citizens: civic education and governance.

David Procter’s Civic Communion, talks about a community performing civic engagement “by the bond of citizenry around social and political structures….of specific locale”.(Procter 2005)

Conclusion

The literature searched for civic engagement in particular was a challenge to find, books and articles are in press and planned to be out by 2006. In addition studies with empirical data are very deficient, for example, experimental study designs on measurement of civic engagement or civic education. Nevertheless, the sources of information on political theories on democracy are abundant.
There are gaps for research in marketing a citizen which are identified, such as, political efficacy, governance, social mobilization, community participation, social capital, etc.

In conclusion, civic engagement must have adequate methods and techniques of persuasion that strengthens community participation in various policy arenas. In addition, the process of civic engagement stabilizes the governance where the stakeholders (people, government, community) identify their interests and create collective action for a more social responsible attitude. The correlation of marketing and society has underlying themes associated in marketing a citizen and the challenge is to be rather less theoretical and more practical and empirical.

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